MONROVIA – There is a serious fury in the Margibi chapter of the ruling Unity Party over the appointment of James Armah Massaquoi as deputy minister for administration, Ministry of Education.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Partisans are angry why President Boakai appointed Mr. Massaquoi to such a key position in his government while members of the party who suffered to see the President elected are without jobs.
Their resentment is triggered by the fact that the deputy eucation minister -designate didn’t support the President, and was among a few CDC stalwarts who ranted against President Boakai in Margibi County during the elections.
They are disappointingly wondering why such a person should be accommodated in a regime whose victory he fought to prevent.
The disenchanted-UP partisans told FPA that the President has only appointed Mr. Ben Fofana, a native of Margibi, as one of the Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority, a move resident see as gross insensitivity on the part of President Boakai.
Mr. Massaquoi served as Assistant Minister for Fiscal Affairs during the regime of former President George Weah.
The enraged Unity Party partisans are also alleging that during the elections, Mr. Massaquoi and other ministers from the Education Ministry were involved in corrupt activities, including the distribution of money for the re-election of George Weah and CDC candidates in Margibi County at the disadvantage of the UP.
A top-ranking member of the party in Margibi who spoke to FPA on anonymity said he was personally disappointed in President Boakai for his decision to give priority to people who stood up against him in 2023.
“These people actively opposed the election of JNB/JKK and Unity Party candidates in Margibi County. It is disheartening to see individuals who worked against the Unity Party’s interests being appointed to significant ministerial roles, while dedicated individuals who struggled to see the party’s success remain unrecognized. We believed this appointment should be reconsidered or revoked by President Boakai”, he stressed.
“We are expressing strong objections to this nomination to prevent any embarrassment to the people of Margibi County. This decision is a grave mistake by the President, as these individuals have contributed to the failure of our education system over the past six years.”, another disenchanted UP partisan expressed.
While expressing their frustration, the Margibi UP members and top officials called on President Joe Boakai to do the needful by appointing partisans in positions, especially the qualified ones.
They believed appointing qualified partisans to key governmental positions is another way of recognizing their efforts and contributions to the struggle that brought the regime to power.
“We sacrificed our times and resources to ensure that JNB got elected. There are no political regards in heaven, they are right here on earth. When people stand up for you, the best thing to do is to recognize and give them priority. Don’t forget that we’ll still be here in 2029, we’re calling on our President, the man we laid our lives on the line to elect to include us in his government., ” a member noted.
Joseph Momo: “As a strong supporter of the Boakai-Koung ticket, I see the President’s decision to downplay us as deliberate and premeditated. This is an act of ingratitude by the president and those advising him. We feel unrecognized and unappreciated by the president despite the risks we took in the sun and rain to have him elected. Some of those he’s appointing today are those who chastised and denigrated him just yesterday, it is sad to note how the president has forgotten so soon. This should serve as a wakeup call to the president in order to do the right thing. “
“I see President Boakai following the same path that caused former President Weah to fail. Where in this world can you hail your oppressor and vilify those who risked it all to bring you to prominent? We maintain that Mr. Massaquoi doesn’t worth and merit the position of Deputy Education Minister under this regime while we who made this possible do not have even a sweeping job. Let Mr. President reconsider his decision for the benefit of the masses that elected him”, Anthony Wulamehn, UP member.
Roland Brooks: “I just want to add my voice to that of my colleagues’ to call on the President to withdraw the nomination of Massaquoi, it is not too late to do the needful. There are lots of qualified members of the UP who can serve that position well. Massaquoi isn’t the only qualified Liberian we have. He was one of those who vigorously campaigned against us (UP), it is just laughable and insensitive to even see this man around the power that be. We don’t want him.”
